Oommen Chandy seeks to play down perception of challenges from alternate power centres

Kochi: Asserting that Congress-led UDF will return to power in 2016, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has sought to play down the wide perception that he might face challenges from "alternative power centres" in the Congress for his bid to become Chief Minister again.

"Who is going to be the leader (of Congress Legislative Party) is immaterial. What is important is to win the elections. After the elections the party will decide who should be the leader," Chandy said when asked about whether he is facing any challenge from the alternative power centres.

"One thing I am certain, we are going to win the elections despite all the adverse propaganda against the UDF coalition and its government," he said.

The senior Congress leader's remark is significant in the wake of the general perception in the state that Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has emerged as an alternative power centre in the government, who could pose a challenge to the Chief Minister's supremacy.

Asked if he was in full command of the government, Chandy said, "we are a single and united team working towards common goals of development of the state and welfare of the people."

"This is totally baseless. Has any discussion in the cabinet on any important decisions been leaked out? What was the situation when LDF was in power?," the CM shot back when asked whether his authority is being challenged in the wake of crisis in government due to allegations against some senior ministers in the bar bribery case.

In the KPCC executive meeting yesterday, both Chennithala and KPCC Chief V M Sudheeran had expressed displeasure over the functioning of the government and asked the Chief Minister to take "urgent corrective measures" that could help UDF fight the next assembly polls more confidently.

"Congress being a democratic party, there have always been different views over important issues. I don't want to pretend that the situation is different now. Our approach is that all the issues are debated within the party and reach consensus. This happens now also.

"I do not want to hoodwink others, saying that there are no issues. I am certain that all the issues will be settled, keeping in mind the unity of the coalition and effective delivery of administration in the state," he said.